If a loved one has been arrested, you are probably wondering what your options for are making bail. Although you may have money saved or have a wealthy relative who is willing to post bail, your best option may be to obtain assistance from a bail bondsman to get your loved one out of jail as effectively and quickly as possible.
When deciding whether to use a bail bond company, consider the following factors:
- Company hours – A bail bondsman who only works between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. may not help you if your loved one was arrested past those hours. You need a company that is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
- You won’t get your 10 percent back – In order to pay the full bail amount, a bail bond company will typically charge you 10 percent of the total amount to post bail. Keep in mind, the 10 percent is considered a service charge, which means you won’t get it back if your loved one is acquitted or convicted. On the other hand, if you decide to pay the entire bail amount yourself and your loved one fails to appear in court, you will forfeit the entire amount.
- Court appearance – As we mentioned above, failure to appear in court can lead to forfeiting the entire bail amount. That is why you need to make sure your loved one will attend all mandatory court appearances. That is why bail bondman asks for collateral to help guarantee your loved one doesn’t miss any court dates.
- Licensed bail bondsman – Not all bail bond companies are created equal. The only ones you can trust are those that are licensed. Always ask to see a bail bondman’s business license and ensure it hasn’t been restricted or suspended.
Since 1960, Andy Callif Bail Bonds has been serving the Columbus area and surrounding region in Ohio. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help bail your loved one out of custody.
For more information about our services, contact us today at (614) 945-4334.